Cheapest Time of Year to Plan a Cruise

Updated September 25, 2024

As summer fades and the back-to-school rush begins, savvy cruisers know that some of the best deals are often just around the corner.

So don’t pack away your beach gear just yet—fall shoulder season for cruise ships out of Port Canaveral is upon us!

What is “shoulder season”? It’s the window of opportunity between the cruise industry’s peak season and off-season, when the ports are less crowded, the prices are a bit lower, and the weather is still optimal!

This makes fall shoulder season one of the most budget-friendly times of the year to plan your dream cruise vacation.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through why this is one of the cheapest times of year to book a Port Canaveral cruise and how you can maximize your savings on everything from airfare to transportation.

Discover Some of the Best Cruise Rates of the Year

Most folks think you’ll find the best Port Canaveral cruise deals around the holidays, especially on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While that’s true, those deals are typically for travel during the peak season. So, you’ll have to wait a little longer to take that dream trip,

If you want to enjoy a cruise in a more immediate time frame and enjoy some great savings, then some of the best deals are often available after Labor Day.

Just as the kids return to school, the days grow a little shorter, and cooler air creeps into the states, some cruise lines start to lower prices to attract travelers during this slower period.

This means you can find some deep discounts that allow you to enjoy a luxury stateroom at a fraction of the cost.

By booking your cruise between peak seasons, you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If you have the available vacation time and the resources, this is the perfect opportunity to secure an upscale cruise experience without breaking the bank.

Enjoy Big Savings on Airline Tickets

For those who don’t live near a cruise port, airfare can be a significant portion of your vacation budget. Although you may be able to find a great deal on cruise, finding reasonably priced airline tickets may be a bit more challenging.

Thankfully, there are a few ways you may be able to reduce your costs for your airline tickets as well.

Choose the Right Time to Book

Booking your flights during off-peak travel times—such as immediately before or after a major holiday—can result in significant savings. For years, seasoned travelers recommended booking flights on Tuesday at 3:00 PM EST. This was due to the fact that many airlines typically released their new weekly fares on that day, sparking a pricing competition that often led to travelers benefiting from low fare.

That strategy is no longer very effective in the age of online ticket booking. However, recent studies show that booking your flights on a Sunday may be the key to capitalizing on lower rates.

Try a Smaller Airport

Another option for finding cheaper airfare is opting to fly to-and-from smaller regional airports instead of major airports. For example, instead of flying into Orlando Airport (MCO), you could choose nearby Sanford Airport (SFB) instead. Sanford Airport may be a little farther away from Port Canaveral than Orlando, but you may be able to nab discounted airfare.

Shop Around

Of course, there’s also the tried-and-true method of comparison shopping on the many online travel agencies and airline websites, too.

While there’s no surefire way to find the cheapest airfare, these methods are your best bets for finding affordable airline tickets for your pre- and post-cruise travel needs.

Bundle Your Hotel Stay and Port Canaveral Transportation for Maximum Savings

Every Port Canaveral cruise vacation comes with the challenge of getting to the port in time for embarkation. That’s why many seasoned cruisers choose to arrive a day early.

Yet, if you’re flying in a day early, you’ll need a hotel.

Luckily, September and October are prime months for locking in low hotel rates. To make your trip even more affordable, consider bundling your hotel stay with transportation to your cruise terminal. Not only does this save you money, but it also eliminates the stress of coordinating multiple services.

If you’re cruising out of Port Canaveral, Go Port has you covered with all-inclusive pre-cruise packages designed to save you time and money.

Fly Snooze Cruise Package

Our Fly Snooze Cruise package is perfect for those flying into Orlando (MCO), Sanford (SFB), or Melbourne (MLB) airports. This package includes airport pickup, a comfortable hotel stay, and shuttle service directly to your terminal on cruise. When you disembark, we’ll be there to pick you up and take you back to the airport.

Airport to Port Transportation Services

If you’re flying into Orlando International Airport (or, coming soon, Sanford Airport) on the day of your cruise and need transportation directly to Port Canaveral, we offer dedicated transportation services to get you from the airport to your cruise terminal swiftly and conveniently.

Instead of having to get off the plane, struggle to find your luggage at the baggage claim, make your way to the car rental agency, pick up your vehicle, drive to the port, and wait in a long line to return your rental or find and pay for parking, you can simply grab your bags and board our shuttle that takes you directly from MCO to Port Canaveral.

This is not only a more practical option than renting a car (or paying surge pricing with rideshare services), it’s also a lot less expensive. Plus, you won’t have to worry about dealing with heavy cruise traffic and unfamiliar roads on your way to the port.

Snooze Park Cruise & Carnival Mardi Gras Parking Package

For Carnival Mardi Gras cruisers who are driving to the port, we have two exciting packages to choose from. First, our Snooze Park Cruise Package offers a convenient, pre-cruise hotel stay at a hotel of your choice, exclusive secure parking for your vehicle, and transportation for up to four travelers to the terminal.

If you want to skip the pre-cruise hotel stay, our exclusive Carnival Mardi Gras Parking Package provides you with secure parking of your vehicle and transportation to-and-from the cruise terminal for up to four travelers—all for $7.50 a day for the duration of your cruise. That’s the lowest price you’ll find for Port Canaveral parking!

Whether you’re arriving a day early or on the day of departure, these bundles not only simplify your travel plans but also provide peace of mind, ensuring your cruise starts stress-free and on budget.

Book Now to Enjoy the Cheapest Cruise Season

September and October stand out as among the best times of the year to plan a cruise vacation. As summer crowds diminish, fall shoulder season for cruise ships out of Port Canaveral brings opportunities for you to enjoy discounts on cruises, airfare, hotels, and more.

To make your cruise experience even more seamless and affordable, explore Go Port’s pre-cruise packages, like the Fly Snooze Cruise, Snooze Park Cruise, Airport to Port Transportation, or Carnival Mardi Gras Parking options.

With our inclusive packages, you can rest easy knowing that every detail of your specific pre- and post-cruise travel needs is taken care of, from airport shuttles to hotel accommodations to direct transportation to the terminal.

Book your package today to lock in the best rates for your fall cruise vacation. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of the cheapest cruise rates of the year—don’t miss out!